Thread by @JaneLindholm

Press conference thread coming up! If you've just started following me, feel free to mute me--there are about 50 tweets coming in the next 2 hours as I follow the Friday press conference on Vermont's official response to COVID-19. #vtpoli

Gov. Scott starting a little earlier than normal. Begins by saying that he's just extended the State of Emergency for another month. He hopes not to have to continue these forever but "Now is not the time to let up, and I'm hopeful Vermonters will continue to do their part."

Phase 2 of sports and recreation guidance for schools starts on Monday, the 18th. Downhill and XC skiing can begin in small groups outdoors, and other practices can expand. Competition still not allowed.

Phase 2 of vaccination schedule beginning soon, Scott says. "I'm pleased to say we're nearing completion of this 1A grouping." Phase 2 wlill begin on Jan. 25th, with those age 75 and older. Some chronic conditions will also be prioritized.

The vast majority of hospitalizations are occurring in those in older age groups, and over 80% of Vermont's COVID deaths have occurred in people over age 80. Scott repeats his frequent emphasis on Vermont's vaccination priority: preventing death.

Defends decision to move by age grouping, rather than exposure risk, job category etc. And preaches patience--saying we have very limited vaccine supplies from the federal government and it will take several weeks to move through each age band.

Ed Secretary Dan French with an education update now. Says schools continue to show low case counts among students and staff, despite higher levels in the communities. 30% of all VT schools are fully in person, 50% are hybrid, 20% fully remote.

Broken out by grade level, elementary schools are much more likely to be fully in person than high school. Elementary school students receiving twice as much in-person instruction compared to middle school students, who are receiving twice as much as high schoolers.

French points out that guidelines for high schoolers require 6-foot distances between people, while elementary schools have a 3-6 foot guideline for spacing between students (and students/staff).

French says school staff have a much lower rate of positivity than the general population. (A defense, or just a data point, for not prioritizing teachers in the vaccine schedule?)

Human Services Secretary Mike Smith now, with vaccine update and plan moving forward. Says VT is prepared and eager to use all the vaccine doses as quickly as possible, as quickly as the vaccine supply from federal govt. will allow.

VT currently getting about 8800 doses a week. Smith says "we will have vulnerable Vermonters" vaccinated by the end of the winter" at this rate. And may be able to move faster if the federal allocation increases.

Federal allocation and vaccine manufacturing are the major limiting factor, according to Smith. But he also acknowledges mass vaccination is the biggest/most complex response/program the state has ramped up so far in response to the pandemic.

35,000 doses been administered to date (about 30k people). All skilled nursing facilities have completed the first round. 84 of 103 residential care and most assisted living facilities have completed round 1, with all on target to complete first round by the end of the month.

Phase 2 will begin Jan. 25th, and Vermonters age 75 and above will be eligible for the vaccine in this first tier.

49k Vermonters in this first group. Should take 6 weeks. Smith reiterates that the state is constrained by how many doses it is receiving.

Smith shows this slide.

There will be a website and a phone number for people to sign up for appointments once they're eligible. Registration begins on Jan. 25th. You will need to register to get signed up. They have NOT given the # or website yet. They will do that closer to the start date.

Smith says they anticipate lots of use of the call center, especially in the older age groups, but hope grandkids and others can help those who are not tech-savvy use the website instead.

Clinics will begin on Jan 27th for those eligible in the first tier. It is VERY IMPORTANT to show up for your appointment, Smith says, in order for the program to run smoothly. You'll get an appointment for your 2nd dose at the time of your 1st dose.

Smith says: Do not call your doctor or pharmacy. Use the website or call center (which, again, is not up and running yet, but will open for registration on 1/25).

Additionally, patients currently in a hospital setting may be able to get a 1st dose next week, before the main vaccination program begins, in order to maximize distribution of currently available doses. This is at hospital discretion. And not for ED patients.

Dr. Levine now, with his update.

He mentions that he knows people are eager, and are worried about their exposure. Singles out people of color who are more at risk. (But nothing has been said about the state's previously stated goal of prioritizing BIPOC folks, or if/how that will actually happen.)

Levine also reminds people not to call the state, their PCP, a hospital or a local pharmacy to inquire about when they might get the vaccine. Says the state will release website/phone number for registration when people can start registering.

ON MEDICAL CONDITIONS: Once the state has completed vaccinating those age 65+, people with certain chronic conditions will be next up to get the vaccine.

Conditions include: current cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD (emphysema), a variety of heart conditions (including heart failure, cardiomyopathy and more), a weakened immune system, severe obesity, pregnancy, type 2 diabetes, Down Syndrome and sickle cell disease.

Levine says the state is also committed to addressing health equity, and will promise to offer increased education/information for those who are at greater risk based on race/ethnicity. Will do outreach in multiple languages, communities.

(Doesn't sound like there's any specific prioritization in terms of WHEN people will get the vaccine based on race or ethnicity though.)

Slides from Dr. Levine.

Addison County currently has the highest positivity rate, directly related to an outbreak. But in most counties the positivity rate isn't connected to a specific known incident or outbreak, Levine says.

115 cases connected to the Victory Baptist Church services in Vergennes over the Christmas holiday. Levine says the vast majority of these are primary cases, not secondary cases in households unconnected to the church and its services.

"We are not seeing cases of transmission from skiing itself or from social activities related to skiing," Levine says.

And since team-based skills and drills will be allowed for school sports starting on Monday, Levine points out there has been no known transmission of the virus from sports participants, "due to great adherence" to the prevention rules.

Question time now. This was a very long opening to the presser, and there are "a record 31" reporters in the queue. Don't forget to hydrate, folks.

First Q: why the state appears to have only administered about half of the doses it has received. Smith repeats what we've heard before about a lag in reporting, but also says some of the doses the state has received are 2nd doses, which have to be held until the right time.

Calvin Cutler asks for specific examples of how the state will prioritize outreach to people of color in the state. Dr. Levine says there is a lot of organizational work that's already been done to have systems in place to identify communities and their needs. 1/

Once the time comes, they're prioritizing outreach, including having translation services, community-specific information, and will attempt to have vaccine clinics w/in walking distances of specific communities.

Question about the new PPP round. I'm going to have to go dark for a few minutes in the next couple of minutes--my son is home from school because he was identified as a contact of a positive case at school, and his afternoon Zoom classes are starting up. Sorry for any gaps!

About the state's plan for vaccination, Scott says goal is a "simple, easy, distinguishable procedure, so everybody knows what we're doing." Says other states have had chaotic scenes, and have over-promised. Says the state will scale up if they get more doses from the feds.

For those who are homebound, Secretary Smith says they will be able to be vaccinated through emergency services. (I'm missing some things here--just want to make sure anyone reading knows that this is a little spotty.)

(And by that I mean, what I tweet should be accurate, but I'm not necessarily hearing every question and answer.)

Question about those who live in one state but see doctors in another, or use a pharmacy in another (like some ppl in the Upper Valley) and what they should do. Smith says in most cases you will need to show proof of VT residency to get vaccinated in VT.

HOWEVER: if you live in NH but have a primary care provider in VT, you should be able to get your vaccine in VT. If your situation is opposite, and your doc is in NH, Smith says you're welcome to try to get it in NH.

But again, reminder, this program is not through doctors or pharmacies, it's going to be a centralized state registry online/on the phone.

https://twitter.com/EPetenko/status/1350127553286168581

Also not on the list: asthma. Dr. Levine says that COPD is on the list, but asthma more generally is a condition where there CAN be a higher risk, but not always, so it's not a blanket priority.

Scott says the state wants to push people to use the website to register for the vaccine, rather than the phone center, ideally.

.@lseconnors asks what happens to the doses if people don't show up for their appointments. Sec. Smith says there may be a "call back" program, which sounds kind of like a wait list. Smith says there's no "acceptable loss" program. They will work to use EVERY dose.

@lseconnors This may include going to the list of people who will get vaccinated by EMS or other entities in their own homes/living situations, like homebound Vermonters.

Scott says "we do expect a run on the system" whenever a new age band is opened, from people who are hoping to get an appointment ASAP. There are currently 200 people working the call center, but it will run more smoothly for people to register online if possible.

He's healthy, thanks for checking! He and my husband got tested on Tuesday afternoon, more than a week after exposure. Results were in Thurs. morning, both negative. (But he still can't go back to school yet because of staffing at school.)

https://twitter.com/MKMartinWriter/status/1350130322411814913

And I got tested last week, since we had gathered with 1 other family over the holiday period. Also negative. And want to remind anyone who hasn't done it, that these tests now are NOT the brain tickling kind. Way way less invasive. Super quick, super easy.

Question from Lisa Scagliotti about how schools will be expected to go full time this spring, if they're currently not able to do that within state guidelines, including space between students. Wonders if the guidance will change, if schools will need to expand into tents etc.

French says guidance will adapt with the conditions, but they're trying to "signal" to schools to get prepared. Says he's increasingly optimistic based on trend lines. (ME: Really?! We're projecting up to 300 cases a day in the next few weeks! Maybe he means trends for spring?)

Q about how cases are being assigned to towns where zip code is for a different town. (Like mine! I live in Monkton but my mailing address says Bristol b/c that's how our mail gets delivered.) Says some communities may be showing zero cases, which isn't necessarily true.

Secretary Smith says he'll look into it.

Public Safety Commish Schirling says there aren't specific threats this weekend the state is monitoring, but they are aware of some plans for protest. Schirling says everyone has the right to protest but they're asking ppl to reconsider, given heightened tension in the country.

Gov. Scott says one group had asked for permission to use the Statehouse lawn for a demonstration that would be a family affair, w/ picnicking etc. But that they've convinced this group to pick a different day, that Sunday would not be great.

Q from a Vermonter who wonders if spouses can register at the same time to get the vaccine.
A: Yes, if they are both in the appropriate age band. (But if one spouse is 75 and the other is 74, only the one who is 75 can get the vaccine in this first age band.)

Q about why younger people with health conditions that put them at great risk have to wait until all those over age 65 are vaccinated. Dr. Levine says the data shows advanced age to be the most associated with death. Says deaths drop off after 65, so health conditions come next.

Me: there seems to be head-scratching about how ppl of color will be prioritized in Vermont. The state has frequently said it will prioritize BIPOC people, but so far, it appears that means just making sure identified communities get the same information everyone else is getting.

ME: I'm not sure just making sure BIPOC Vermonters have a full understanding about the vaccine is in line with the expectation that was set in previous press conferences. Perhaps when the vaccination clinics are started up there will be more access...

Anne Galloway asks if the governor is reconsidering remaining in the Republican Party. Scott says the party will need to do some soul searching, but that's going to take some time. He condemns the action of the president. He has not said he will depart from the party.

He also hasn't said he'll remain in the party. Says it needs to collectively figure out what it wants to be, "and there will be time for that." Declines to say whether he thinks Deb Billado should step down as VTGOP chair.

Ham Davis wants to know if the state would consider going from the approved 2-dose vaccine regimen to a 1-dose application. Scott and Levine say they have no current plans to reduce the doses.

Second-home owners will not be eligible to get the vaccine in VT, unless you have actually started the process of actually becoming a full-time resident of VT, according to Secretary Smith.

Q from Guy Page about vaccine uptake. Levine doesn't have specific stats, says he's hearing 80% of residents of nursing homes and doesn't have a stat on staff at these facilities. Says rates have progressively increased over time. Doesn't have stat on health care workforce.

25 "adverse events" related to getting the vaccine, including 2 people who had shortness of breath. Some of these adverse reactions were local reactions, not systemic reactions. Says 25 out of 25K doses administered is a very low amount.

63 doses have been "wasted" according to stats that have now been given to Dr. Levine. "I would still say it's unacceptable because any dose wasted is unfortunate," but says it's an extremely low percentage of total doses received by the state.

Q about when schools would have to essentially cancel winter sports if games haven't yet been approved. Sec. Kurrle says there's a possibility the season could be extended deeper into the spring to allow for interscholastic play, if conditions allow.

3 more reporters to go. You still with me? :)

One of the joys of being at home occasionally for these pressers is that I get to have espresso in my favorite mug, from local artisans Two Potters!

We're nearing the end. @VPRKinzel and I will do a few minutes of analysis on @vprnet live, and then we'll rejoin Here and Now in progress.

Dr. Levine says there are already phone calls coming into the health department about vaccination, wants to conclude the press conference by saying, DON'T CALL THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO GET THE VACCINE. More information will be coming as we get closer to the 25th.

Okay, see you back here next Tuesday. I've got to get back to work on the latest @ButWhyKids episode, coming out today, all about taxonomy (and funny animal names)!